There are some lessons we learn once and remember for years to come – riding a bike, how to drive (well for some), etc.  There are other lessons that take a lifetime to learn.  In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus shares a familiar parable about a lesson that takes a lifetime to learn.

Matthew 25:14–30 (ESV): 14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

There are at least five Lessons We L.E.A.R.N. from this Parable of Jesus.

L – Loan (vv 14-15) | All I have is on LOAN from God.

This passage mentions a “talent”.  This was a measure of weight (75 pounds) used for precious materials (i.e. silver like in this parable.  A silver talent was valued at 6,000 denarii. A denarius was a day’s wage for common worker.

So using simple math… in today’s economy with a $7.93/hour minimum wage. 8 hours for full work day ($58.00 for a day’s wages).  A talent of silver today would be worth $348,000.

The master gives something to each servant to care for while he is away but it’s not their’s forever.  It’s just in their care until one day the master would return.  It was just on loan.

All I have is on loan from God.  What has the Lord loaned you?

  • Money?
  • Time?
  • People in your life?
  • Spiritual gifts?
  • Job?
  • Possessions?
  • Talents?
  • Opportunities?

Lord, I acknowledge your ownership of everything i have.  you own it all, and i am merely a steward who is taking care of these things on your behalf for a short while here on earth.

E – Entrust (v 15) | God has ENTRUSTED me with both abilities and assignments.

We are not all the same. God has created us differently.  You are uniquely you.  I am uniquely me.  God has given each of us different abilities and capabilities, and this is a beautiful thing.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,… (1 Corinthians 12:4–9)

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Romans 9:20-21)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart… (Jeremiah 1:5)

God knows us intimately.  He knows which of us needs to be given 5 talents, 2 talents, and 1 talent.  The 5-talent person is no better or more loved than the 1-talent person.  What God entrusts to us is not an issue of love or specialness.  It is simply a choice of a Sovereign Creator who loves us all fully and chose to give different ones different abilities and assignments.

WARNING!  There are temptations that will distract you.

5-talent person to think you are better than everyone else (pride and ego).  instead choose humility as your garment as the servant of God that you are…  Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,… (1 Peter 5:5-6 ESV)

5-talent person… easy to think if you earn or give 3 talents, you have given more than the person who gave 2 talents.  Jesus blew this out of the water (LUKE 21:1-4).  Lesson… not how much you give… but how much you keep.

1-talent person… think you are not as important as the 5-talent person and therefore don’t do anything with what’s entrusted to you.

 

A – Accountability (vv 16-30) | I will be held ACCOUNTABLE for what God has entrusted to me.

The context of parable is the End Time when Jesus Christ returns.

All believers will stand before God and give an accounting for what we did with what He entrusted to us (2 Cor 5:10).

Not a judgement for entrance to heaven (faith in Jesus determines our presence before God in heaven (Eph2:8-9)

This Judgment of believers determines reward in heaven. (1 Corinthians 3:6-15)

Notice the 5-talent and the 2-talent steward received the same commendation/reward. (vv 21-23)

God is looking for faithfulness… we will give an account for the faithful investment of or time, money, giftedness, and opportunities that count for eternity. (1 Corinthians 3:8-15)

Would the Lord find me faithful today?  Would he find you faithful today?

R – Responsibility (vv 21, 23, 28-29) | Faithfulness leads to greater responsibility.

The person who is faithful in small things will be entrusted with more responsibility now (possibly) and in the Kingdom to come (definitely). (see Luke 16:10-12)

LORD , fill me with YOU and help me to be found faithful with what You have entrusted to me.

N – Neglect (vv 25) | Fear can cause me to neglect my faith.

Have you ever known someone who struggles with “analysis paralysis?”  At the root of a fear of failure, is a lack of faith.  When we are younger think we are invincible and when we grow older think we are fragile. (see 2 Timothy 1:7)

Fear does crazy things to us.  Fear will lead you to want to seize power and to always want to be in control.   Yet, faith will lead you to release control and trust Him with any and every situation.

Fear will lead you to love yourself more. Faith will lead you to love and care for others first!

Fear will lead you to live out of control and always having to be in the driver’s seat of your life. Faith will lead you to have self-control as the Spirit guides and let the Lord sit in the driver’s seat of your life.

Do you have faith?

What are some lessons the Lord is teaching you in this season?